Powder cocaine routinely is converted to crack by street gangs in
multiple locations throughout the Chicago HIDTA region. Crack distribution
is often associated with violent crime in Chicago. Because crack distribution
generates significant profits for street gangs, low-level rival gang
members routinely engage in violence to acquire turf or steal drugs
or drug proceeds. This frequent gang violence necessitates priority
responses on the part of law enforcement to protect public safety; it
also diverts attention from other drug investigations and is time-consuming
and labor-intensive.

Street gang members in the Chicago HIDTA region also cultivate small
amounts of cannabis indoors or on public lands and use it to augment
marijuana supplies from other sources; however, this activity is very
limited relative to the overall availability of marijuana in the region.
Additionally, little evidence or law enforcement reporting exists to
suggest that methamphetamine is produced locally by any criminal organization
or large-scale independent operators. National Clandestine Laboratory
Seizure System (NCLSS) data reveal that only three methamphetamine laboratories
were seized each year from 2002 to 2005 in the four-county HIDTA region;
two laboratories were seized in 2006.